We are accustomed to taking an adapter with us, to enable use of electric shavers, hair dryers and battery chargers. Have I missed something or are we going to have to do the same when taking fully electric cars into the EU?

I kinda assumed that a Nissan Leaf couldn’t connect to a Tesla charger but I also assumed that a Mitsubishi PHEV could connect to the same charger a Leaf could connect to. If that’s not the case then that’s utterly absurd. If you’re going to try charging via a standard mains socket then better have an overnight stop to fill up, cos you ain’t going nowhere on the 1.5 KW you’ll get out of a mains socket in 30 minutes. Try pulling that via a travel adapter and you’ll need a few to replace the ones that burn out every few minutes!

Just think of all the extra CO2 produced at the power stations, or how many new nuclear power stations will be needed if we all switch to electric cars?

I use Ecotricity, so all my power is from solar and wind...………...

I think Tesla have their own connection as they have their own charge points on the motorway. Otherwise as far as I can see there are two types of connector. My little Citroen has both, and the motorway (Ecotricity) power points have two types of connector.

As said, its madness to have more than one, perhaps two. Just does not work for the industry.

Re mileage and charging times, batteries and chargers are improving. My little car takes 20-30 minutes of fast charge on the motorway, and about 7 hours overnight if the battery is very low.

At the mo, electric cars will not suit everybody, but certainly suits me as I only do 20-40 miles a day.

Re extra CO2 etc, take into account the cost of extracting oil, refining it, and transporting it around the world. As I say, I subscribe to Ecotricity, and the power comes from solar and wind power. Those facilities are much less CO2 emitting than petrol and diesel.

Having said all that, I do run a Mazda RX8 as well, for enjoyment and longer journeys...

Or the fact that the short-lived batteries are made from materials that are already in short supply!

The only 'green' power supply is hydrogen, which is easier to source (from sea water etc) and produces more water when it's burnt

My Citroen battery is now about 7 years old, and though does not have its original capacity still does the job for me.

Re your second point, all personal and public transport is a high energy consumer, and we have to live with that I think. Not just the car and its fuel, cost of road/rail building and airports consume massive amounts of energy.

Helicopters might take an economy badge, as they don't need massive facilities, though they take massive maintenance I believe...

That has been one of my concerns and also about how much a replacement would cost and the possible costs of recycling the old one. How much capacity has it lost?

Its down by about 1/3rd. Original published capacity was 93 miles, and now if I am careful, its down to about 60 miles. But the original published capacity may well have been optimistic, as sales bumf always is.

My Citroen Zero is 7 years old, and battery technology has come on somewhat it that time. latest Nissan Leaf will do 230 miles on a charge.....

All depends on how you drive, 60 mph on a m/w is much more economical than 70. Also heating and cooling in the car takes a bit of juice. So not as comfortable as ICE car some of the time.

Good side is that a trip from Cardiff to Pontarddulais (52 miles) can cost as little as £1.20 ish…………..

Not tackled replacement of the battery, as I would upgrade the car anyway. Disposing of the LION battery is probably not cheap, and might leave a pollution trail, but do not know what that cost is. Don't suppose it would be horrendous, probably no more that scrapping an ICE car...….

I have read reports that areas that mine Lithium are not wonderful places either, but then that's the same for almost all fuels...….

All have upsides and downsides I guess...…….

When I see the big cars on the road these days, Mercs, BMW and the like, we seem to have no problem with spending large amounts of loot on personal transport...…….

Its down by about 1/3rd. Original published capacity was 93 miles, and now if I am careful, its down to about 60 miles. But the original published capacity may well have been optimistic, as sales bumf always is.

Thanks for that. I treat the quoted range distances the same way we look at the manufacturer's MPG claims! 60 miles ... I would always be worried about getting stuck in traffic and having to drive home with no heating, wipers, lights etc!